ISLAMABAD, November 14: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to respond to a questionnaire prepared by the United Kingdom’s Home Office regarding the return of former minister Ishaq Dar to the country.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a case related to Dar’s non-appearance before the apex court in a corruption case pertaining to owning assets approximately valued at Rs831.7 million, disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Dar was declared an absconder by the court last year when he failed to appear since he was in London, allegedly undergoing medical treatment. His absence was first attributed to ill health on Oct 30, 2017.
The additional attorney general told the bench today that the UK Home Office had sent some questions regarding Dar’s return to the country, and these questions had been forwarded to NAB.
“They will submit their response to the UK Home Office,” the additional attorney general added. The CJP observed that Dar “can no longer use his illness as an excuse [to stay abroad]”. “He would say that when justice will prevail, only then will he return to the country,” the top judge added. – Agencies
